If my business wasn’t showing up in the top 3 local map results, the first thing I’d do is get more reviews.
I would be able to see that I’m not showing up for a few reasons. Either:
- Competitors’ offering are more relevant to the local searchers query
- The top results are closer to the searcher in proximity
- The top results have more reviews than my business
- Other options are doing a better job of targeting their local area
- Competitors are doing a better job at signaling that they’re a option for local shoppers
As a local business owner, the lever that’s most in your control is reviews.
Reviews alone won’t maximize your visibility, but they will enhance it and make customers more likely to choose you.
How to get more reviews instantly: Ask for them
BrightLocal found that 83% of local consumers who were asked to leave reviews last year actually did.
Why Reviews Are the First Lever to Pull
If you’re goal is getting more local customers, reviews are most in your control.
They influence how often your business shows up and how often customers choose you.
Industry studies consistently show that review signals account for roughly 15–20% of what determines Local Map Pack rankings. That includes:
- total number of reviews
- average rating
- how frequently new reviews come in
- and how actively you respond
Reviews Shape Customer Behavior
- 98% of people read reviews before choosing a business
- 73% only pay attention to reviews from the last month
Customers are looking for proof that your business is active and trusted right now.
When your review profile shows consistent feedback and strong ratings, it signals to Google and customers that people are actively choosing your business.
Those signals make it more likely that Google shows your business – and make it easier for customers to choose you when it does.
Takeaway: Reviews help improve rankings and increase the likelihood that customers choose you.
A Simple Review System
Recency matters more than volume
Customers are looking at how recent your reviews are. 73% of consumers only pay attention to reviews from the last month.
Review frequency is also a major ranking factor that determines which businesses get shown in the Local 3-Pack.
Consistency beats bursts
A common mistake is trying to get a lot of reviews at once.
That might help short-term, but it doesn’t build long-term visibility.
Google responds better to steady, ongoing review activity and natural growth over time.
Customer photos increase trust
Reviews with photos and specific details help your business profile more.
Visual proof reduces uncertainty.
A few strong, visual reviews can outperform dozens of generic ones.
Responding to reviews reinforces trust
Responding to reviews shows you’re active and care about your customers’ experiences.
It also acts as ongoing marketing. When a customer leaves a review and you respond quickly, you stay top of mind.
Even simple responses go further than silence.
7 Ways to Get More Reviews
Here are 7 simple, effective ways to get more reviews. Steps from this process help one NYSG client go from 297 to to nearly 700 reviews in 5 months.
Ask at the right moment
Timing matters more than anything.
The best time to ask for a review is right after a positive experience.
- after a successful service
- after a smooth transaction
- when the customer is clearly satisfied
That’s when customers are most likely to follow through.
Make it easy
Reduce friction by:
- send a direct link
- using a QR code in-store or on your website
- include it in receipts or follow-ups
The fewer steps it takes, the more reviews you’ll get.
Build it into your process
Make reviews apart of your business.
- train and incentivize your staff to ask
- add it to checkout or closing steps
- include it in post-service follow-ups
If it’s not part of the process, it won’t happen consistently.
Use follow-ups (email/SMS)
Not every customer will leave a review on the spot.
A simple follow-up can capture missed opportunities:
- email after purchase
- SMS after service
- short, direct ask
And this ties into retention. You’re staying in front of the customer while reinforcing your brand.
Ask for feedback
Sometimes a softer approach works better.
Instead of:
“Leave us a review”
Try:
“How was your experience?”
Encourage detailed, helpful reviews
Reviews that include photos and specific details hold more weight.
Guide customers toward reflecting on what they bought and what stood out.
Stay consistent
This is what separates top businesses. They generate reviews continuously.
Decide what percentage of your transactions should turn into reviews each month.
10–20% of customers leaving a review is a strong, realistic benchmark for most local businesses.
How to Work This Into Your Business
If you’re not showing up in the top results, reviews are the fastest lever you can pull.
They influence:
- how often Google shows your business
- and how often customers choose you when it does
Build a simple, consistent system:
- ask at the right moment
- make it easy
- and stay consistent over time
When that happens, your visibility improves, your credibility strengthens, and more of the demand that already exists starts coming to you.